Liquid crystal display device

ABSTRACT

Provided is a liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal display panel, a liquid crystal display protection panel set above the liquid crystal display panel so as to protect a display surface of the liquid crystal display panel, the liquid crystal display protection panel being warped with its central portion being protruded, and a frame supporting the liquid crystal display panel and the liquid crystal display protection panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. divisional application filed under 37 C.F.R.1.53(b) claiming priority benefit of U.S. application Ser. No.12/230,997, filed Sep. 9, 2008, allowed, which application in turnclaims earlier priority benefit to Japanese Patent Application No.2007-247322, filed on Sep. 25, 2007, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

It relates to a liquid crystal display device. In particular, it relatesto a liquid crystal display such as a portable information terminal,which is equipped with a liquid crystal display device including aliquid crystal display protection panel and a liquid crystal moduleincluding a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel.

2. Description of the Related Art

Liquid crystal display devices have been widely used for display unitsof various electronic devices such as a portable information terminalsuch as a cell phone or a PDA (personal digital assistants), a portablePC (personal computer) such as a laptop PC, a desktop PC, and atelevision on account of being thin and lightweight as well as becauseof low-voltage driving and power-saving.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a conventional cell phone equipped with aliquid crystal display device.

A cell phone 10 of FIG. 1 includes a stationary-side case 1 and amovable-side case 3 coupled with the stationary-side case 1 through ahinge 2 in a foldable manner. In the illustrated example of FIG. 1, themovable-side case 3 of the cell phone 10 is opened.

The stationary-side case 1 has a flat, substantially rectangular shape.An inner surface 4 of the stationary-side case 1 is provided with, forexample, plural push buttons 5, 6, and 7. Further, an inner surface 8 ofthe movable-side case 3 is provided with, for example, a liquid crystaldisplay device 9.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display device 9of FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid crystal display device 9 includes a frontcase 11, a rear case 12, and an LCD (liquid crystal display) protectionpanel 13.

The front case 11 is a molded case made of a resin or magnesium alloy,for example. A lower surface of the front case 11 is bonded to an upperend of the rear case 12 by means of claws or screws.

A liquid crystal display protection panel mounting surface 11 a extendsfrom an upper portion of the front case 11. The LCD protection panel 13made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as an acrylic polymer is placedon the liquid crystal display protection panel mounting surface 11 athrough a double-faced adhesive tape 14, for example.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion A enclosed by the dotted line ofFIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal display protection panelmounting surface 11 a is a flat surface substantially parallel to thehorizontal. An outer edge of the LCD protection panel 13 is fixed ontothe liquid crystal display protection panel mounting surface 11 a bymeans of the double-faced adhesive tape 14. Further, there is no spacebut a small gap resulting from dimensional tolerances, between an endface of the LCD protection panel 13 and an inner surface of the upperportion of the front case 11.

Referring back to FIG. 2, a concave liquid crystal module holder 16having a substrate 15 attached to the bottom is provided inside thefront case 11. Electronic components such as a chip capacitor aremounted onto the substrate 15 but are not illustrated in FIG. 2. Liquidcrystal modules 17 and 18 are nested into the concave portion of theliquid crystal module holder 16. By the way, the liquid crystal module18 is a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, and the liquid crystalmodule 17 is a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel holder for holding theLCD panel 18.

An upper edge of the liquid crystal module holder 16 is in contact witha lower side of the upper portion of the front case 11. The liquidcrystal module holder 16 supports the front case 11. Further, adustproof gasket 19 made of cushioning such as urethane form rubber isput on an upper edge of the liquid crystal module 18. The dustproofgasket 19 is in contact with a lower surface of the LCD protection panel13. This structure protects the liquid crystal modules 17 and 18 frompowder dust.

In addition, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2004-111153proposes a backlight and a liquid crystal display device, which includea light source supporting member for supporting a light source to achassis or a corner portion of a light reflecting member, and in which areflector is partially positioned between the chassis and the lightsource supporting member, and the light source supporting membercontrols movement of a front edge portion of the reflector relative tothe chassis in a direction parallel to a front side of a light guide.

However, the structure of FIG. 2 involves the following problems.Referring to cross-sectional views of FIGS. 4A and 4B similar to FIG. 2,the problems are described below.

The LCD protection panel 13 tends to expand in the direction of thearrow of FIG. 4A due to temperature rise or moisture absorption. Howmuch the LCD protection panel 13 extends due to the expansion resultingfrom moisture absorption varies depending on water absorption, a panelthickness, etc. If the LCD protection panel 13 is made of, for example,polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as an acrylic polymer, the waterabsorption is 0.3%.

On the other hand, as described above, the outer edge of the lowersurface of the LCD protection panel 13 is fixed onto the liquid crystaldisplay protection panel mounting surface 11 a through the double-facedadhesive tape 14. Further, there is no space but a small gap resultingfrom dimensional tolerances, between the end face of the LCD protectionpanel 13 and the inner surface of the upper portion of the front case11.

Therefore, although the LCD protection panel 13 tends to expand due totemperature rise or moisture absorption, the extension in a horizontaldirection (direction of the arrow of FIG. 4A) resulting from theexpansion is restricted.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, the LCD protection panel 13 warpsinwardly (downwardly in FIG. 4B) according to the expansion, and thelower surface of the LCD protection panel 13 comes into contact(interferes) with the upper surface of the LCD panel 18 in some cases.If the lower surface of the LCD protection panel 13 comes into contactwith the upper surface of the LCD panel 18, the contact portion lookslike a droplet infiltrated in a space between the LCD protection panel13 and the LCD panel 18. As a result, there is no choice but to repairthe liquid crystal display device 9.

One conceivable countermeasure against such a problem is to secureenough space between the lower surface of the LCD protection panel 13and the upper surface of the LCD panel 18 not to bring the lower surfaceof the LCD protection panel 13 and the upper surface of the LCD panel 18into contact with each other even if the LCD protection panel 13expands. However, this structure leads to enlargement of the liquidcrystal display device 9 and thus the cell phone 10.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of an embodiment, a liquid crystal display devicecomprises a liquid crystal display panel, a liquid crystal displayprotection panel set above the liquid crystal display panel so as toprotect a display surface of the liquid crystal display panel, theliquid crystal display protection panel being warped with its centralportion being protruded, and a frame supporting the liquid crystaldisplay panel and the liquid crystal display protection panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above object and features of the present invention will be moreapparent from the following description of some preferred embodimentswith reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a conventional cell phone equipped with aliquid crystal display device;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display device ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion A enclosed by the dotted line ofFIG. 2;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are sectional views illustrating problems of theconventional liquid crystal display device;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cell phone equipped with a liquidcrystal display device according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display device ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion A enclosed by the dotted line ofFIG. 6;

FIGS. 8A and 8B show how a liquid crystal display protection panel ofFIG. 6 expands;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a liquid crystal display device accordingto a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion A enclosed by the dotted lineof FIG. 9;

FIGS. 11A and 11B show how a liquid crystal display protection panel ofFIG. 9 expands;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a liquid crystal display device accordingto a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a liquid crystal displaydevice according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of the liquid crystal displaydevice of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal side view of the liquid crystal display deviceof FIG. 13; and

FIGS. 16A to 16C show the structure in which a claw of a liquid crystalmodule holder is engaged with a hole of a holder connection portion of aframe of FIG. 13.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described.

1. First Embodiment

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cell phone equipped with a liquidcrystal display device according to a first embodiment.

A cell phone 20 of FIG. 5 includes a stationary-side case 21 and amovable-side case 23 coupled with the stationary-side case 21 through ahinge 22 in a foldable manner. In the illustrated example of FIG. 5, themovable-side case 23 of the cell phone 20 is opened.

The stationary-side case 21 has a flat, substantially rectangular shape.An inner surface 24 of the stationary-side case 21 is provided with, forexample, plural push buttons 25, 26, and 27. Further, an inner surface28 of the movable-side case 23 is provided with, for example, a liquidcrystal display device 29.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display device 29of FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 6, the liquid crystal display device 29 includes afront case (case unit) 31, a rear case 32, an LCD (liquid crystaldisplay) protection panel 33, and the like.

The front case 31 is molded using, for example, a resin or magnesiumalloy. A lower surface of the front case 31 is bonded to an upper end ofthe rear case 32 by means of claws or screws.

A liquid crystal display protection panel mounting surface 31 a extendsfrom an upper portion of the front case 31. The LCD protection panel 33made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as an acrylic polymer is placedon the liquid crystal display protection panel mounting surface 31 athrough a double-faced adhesive tape 34, for example.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion A enclosed by the dotted line ofFIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 7, the liquid crystal display protection panel mountingsurface 31 a is curved such that the height of the LCD protection panel33 on its central side is higher than that on its peripheral side. Theperipheral portion of the LCD protection panel 33 is fixed onto thethus-curved liquid crystal display protection panel mounting surface 31a through the double-faced adhesive tape 34. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6,the LCD protection panel 33 is formed into such a curved shape that itscentral portion protrudes, that is, the LCD protection panel 33 upwardlywarps.

The shape of the liquid crystal display protection panel mountingsurface 31 a is not limited to the curved shape but may be any othershape adapted to a tapered shape of the LCD protection panel 33 with itsheight on the central side being higher than that on the peripheralside. In this case as well, the LCD protection panel 33 is formed intosuch a curved shape that its central portion protrudes, that is, the LCDprotection panel 33 upwardly warps.

There is no space but a small gap resulting from dimensional tolerances,between an end face of the LCD protection panel 33 and an inner surfaceof the upper portion of the front case 31.

A concave liquid crystal module holder 36 having a substrate 35 attachedto the bottom is provided inside the front case 31. The liquid crystalmodule holder 36 is made of, for example, stainless steel (SAS). Amaterial for the liquid crystal module holder 36 is not particularlylimited, and a resin or magnesium alloy may be molded into the liquidcrystal module holder 36.

Electronic components such as a chip capacitor are mounted onto thesubstrate 35 but are not illustrated in FIG. 6. Liquid crystal modules37 and 38 are nested into the concave portion of the liquid crystalmodule holder 36. By the way, the liquid crystal module 38 is a liquidcrystal display (LCD) panel, and the liquid crystal module 37 is aliquid crystal display (LCD) panel holder for holding the LCD panel 38.

An upper edge of the liquid crystal module holder 36 is in contact withan upper portion of the front case 31. The liquid crystal module holder36 supports the front case 31. A dustproof gasket 39 made of cushioningsuch as urethane form rubber is put on an upper edge of the liquidcrystal module 38. The dustproof gasket 39 is in contact with a lowersurface of the LCD protection panel 33. This structure protects theliquid crystal modules 37 and 38 from powder dust.

The thus-structured LCD protection panel 33 tends to expand in thedirection of the arrow of FIG. 8A due to temperature rise or moistureabsorption. However, as described above, the outer edge of the lowersurface of the LCD protection panel 33 is fixed onto the liquid crystaldisplay protection panel mounting surface 31 a by means of thedouble-faced adhesive tape 34, so the extension in a horizontaldirection (direction of the arrow of FIG. 8A) is restricted. FIGS. 8Aand 8B are cross-sectional views similar to FIG. 6.

Further, as described above, the LCD protection panel 33 has such acurved shape that its height on the central side is higher than that onthe peripheral side. The LCD protection panel 33 is previously curvedsuch that its central portion upwardly protrudes. Accordingly, enoughclearance is secured between the lower surface of the LCD protectionpanel 33 and the upper surface of the LCD panel 38. Thus, as shown inFIG. 8B, the lower surface of the LCD protection panel 33 can be keptfrom contact (interfering) with the upper surface of the LCD panel 38.

Since the LCD protection panel 33 is previously curved such that itscentral portion upwardly protrudes, the LCD protection panel 33 couldwarp upwardly (upwardly in FIG. 8B) due to expansion but does not warpdownwardly (downwardly in FIG. 8B). That is, the LCD protection panel 33can warp upwardly only (in a direction of increasing a distance from theupper surface of the LCD panel 38). Thus, as shown in FIG. 8B, the lowersurface of the LCD protection panel 33 can be kept from contact(interfering) with the upper surface of the LCD panel 38.

As described above, according to the structure of this embodiment, thelower surface of the LCD protection panel 33 can be kept from contact(interfering) with the upper surface of the liquid crystal module 38.Hence, it is possible to avoid a phenomenon that looks as if a dropletinfiltrates in between the LCD protection panel 33 and the liquidcrystal module 38 can be avoided without increasing the gaps between thelower surface of the LCD protection panel 33 and the upper surface ofthe liquid crystal module 38.

The liquid crystal display device 29 is illustrated in FIG. 6 incross-section. However, this structure is also applicable to thelongitudinal-section structure of the liquid crystal display device 29.

2. Second Embodiment

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a liquid crystal display device 40according to a second embodiment. In FIG. 9, the same components asthose of FIG. 6 are denoted by identical reference numerals, anddetailed description thereof is omitted. The rear case 32 (see FIG. 6)provided below the substrate 35 is omitted from FIG. 9.

In the liquid crystal display device 29 of the first embodiment, the LCDprotection panel 33 is placed on the liquid crystal display protectionpanel mounting surface 31 a extending from the upper portion of thefront case 31 through the double-faced adhesive tape 34. In the liquidcrystal display device 40 of the second embodiment, the front case 31and the double-faced adhesive tape 34 are not used, but a frame 41 as aplate-like member bent at substantially right angle is used.

The frame 41 is composed of a liquid crystal display protection panelcontact portion 41 a and a holder connection portion 41 b extending fromthe liquid crystal display protection panel contact portion 41 a andbent at substantially right angel to the liquid crystal displayprotection panel contact portion 41 a. The liquid crystal displayprotection panel contact portion 41 a is positioned over both ends of anupper surface of the LCD protection panel 33 and the vicinities thereof.The holder connection portion 41 b is connected to the liquid crystalmodule holder 36 through engagement of claws (not shown) with holes (notshown) formed in the holder connection portion 41 b, the claws beingformed in corresponding positions on the liquid crystal module holder36.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion A enclosed by the dotted lineof FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 10, the liquid crystal display protection panel contactportion 41 a is curved such that its height is higher on the centralside of the LCD protection panel 33 that on the peripheral side. Thus,as shown in FIG. 9, the LCD protection panel 33 is curved such that itscentral portion protrudes, that is, the LCD protection panel 33 warpsupwardly, combined with a repulsive force of the dustproof gasket 39 forsupporting the LCD protection panel 33 from below the LCD protectionpanel 33, from the lower surface of the LCD protection panel 33.

The thus-structured frame 41 is made of, for example, stainless steel(SAS). A stainless-steel plate-like member is used for the frame 41 tothereby reduce the total thickness of the device. Here, a material forthe frame 41 is not particularly limited, but a resin or magnesium alloymay be molded into the frame 41. Further, it is possible to mold a resinor magnesium alloy into an armor and cover the frame 41 with the armor.

Further, there is no space but a small gap resulting from dimensionaltolerances, between an end face of the LCD protection panel 33 and aninner surface of the upper portion of the liquid crystal displayprotection panel contact portion 41 a.

The thus-structured LCD protection panel 33 tends to expand in thedirection of the arrow of FIG. 11A due to temperature rise or moistureabsorption. FIGS. 11A and 11B are sectional views similar to FIG. 9.

As described above, however, the LCD protection panel 33 has such acurved shape that its height on the central side is higher than that onthe peripheral side. The LCD protection panel 33 is previously curvedsuch that its central portion upwardly protrudes. Accordingly, enoughclearance is secured between the lower surface of the LCD protectionpanel 33 and the upper surface of the LCD panel 38. Thus, as shown inFIG. 11B, the lower surface of the LCD protection panel 33 can be keptfrom contact (interfering) with the upper surface of the LCD panel 38.

Since the LCD protection panel 33 is previously curved such that itscentral portion upwardly protrudes, the LCD protection panel 33 couldwarp upwardly (upwardly in FIG. 11B) due to expansion but does not warpdownwardly (downwardly in FIG. 11B). That is, the LCD protection panel33 can warp upwardly only (in a direction of increasing a distance fromthe upper surface of the LCD panel 38). Thus, as shown in FIG. 11B, thelower surface of the LCD protection panel 33 can be kept from contact(interfering) with the upper surface of the LCD panel 38.

As described above, according to the structure of this embodiment, thelower surface of the LCD protection panel 33 can be kept from contact(interfering) with the upper surface of the liquid crystal module 38.Hence, it is possible to avoid a phenomenon that looks as if a dropletinfiltrates in between the LCD protection panel 33 and the liquidcrystal module 38 can be avoided without increasing the gaps between thelower surface of the LCD protection panel 33 and the upper surface ofthe liquid crystal module 38.

The liquid crystal display device 40 is illustrated in FIG. 8 incross-section. However, this structure is also applicable to thelongitudinal-section structure of the liquid crystal display device 40.

In the above example, the liquid crystal display protection panelcontact portion 41 a is curved such that its height is higher on thecentral side of the LCD protection panel 33 than on the peripheral side.However, the shape of the frame 41 is not limited to the curved shapebut may be a tapered shape in which its height is higher on the centralside of the LCD protection panel 33 than on the peripheral side.

3. Third Embodiment

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a liquid crystal display device 50according to a third embodiment. In FIG. 12, the same components asthose of FIG. 9 are denoted by identical reference numerals, anddetailed description thereof is omitted. The rear case 32 (see FIG. 6)provided below the substrate 35 is omitted from FIG. 12 similar to FIG.9.

In the liquid crystal display device 40 of the second embodiment, theliquid crystal display protection panel contact portion 41 a of theframe 41 (see FIG. 9) is curved such that its height is higher on thecentral side of the LCD protection panel 33 than on the peripheral side.In the liquid crystal display device 50 of the third embodiment, aliquid crystal display protection panel contact portion 51 a of a frame51 is a flat surface that is substantially parallel to the horizontal.Further, a compressibility of a dustproof gasket 49 for supporting theLCD protection panel 33 from below the LCD protection panel 33 is sethigher than that of a dustproof gasket 19 of the conventional structureshown in FIG. 2, for example, 50% or more.

Since, the compressibility of the dustproof gasket 49 for supporting theLCD protection panel 33 from below the LCD protection panel 33, that is,the repulsive force is set high, the LCD protection panel 33 is curvedtogether with the frame 51 having the liquid crystal display protectionpanel contact portion 51 a in contact with an upper surface of the LCDprotection panel 33, with its central portion protruding upwardly. Inother words, although the compressibility of the dustproof gasket 49 iscalculated in consideration of the structure or plate thickness of theframe 51, the compressibility is set such that the LCD protection panel33 is curved together with the frame 51, with its central portionprotruding upwardly.

The thus-structured LCD protection panel 33 tends to expand in thehorizontal direction due to temperature rise or moisture absorption.

However, as described above, the LCD protection panel 33 is curvedtogether with the frame 51 having the liquid crystal display protectionpanel contact portion 51 a in contact with an upper surface of the LCDprotection panel 33, with its central portion protruding upwardly.Therefore, enough clearance is secured between the lower surface of theLCD protection panel 33 and the upper surface of the LCD panel 38. Thus,the lower surface of the LCD protection panel 33 can be kept fromcontact (interfering) with the upper surface of the LCD panel 38.

Further, the LCD protection panel 33 is curved such that its centralportion protrudes upwardly due to the dustproof gasket 49. Thus, the LCDprotection panel 33 could warp upwardly (upwardly in FIG. 12) due toexpansion but does not warp downwardly (downwardly in FIG. 12). That is,the LCD protection panel 33 can warp upwardly only (in a direction ofincreasing a distance from the upper surface of the LCD panel 38). Thus,the lower surface of the LCD protection panel 33 can be kept fromcontact (interfering) with the upper surface of the LCD panel 38.

As described above, according to the structure of this embodiment aswell, the lower surface of the LCD protection panel 33 can be kept fromcontact (interfering) with the upper surface of the liquid crystalmodule 38. Hence, it is possible to avoid a phenomenon that looks as ifa droplet infiltrates in between the LCD protection panel 33 and theliquid crystal module 38 can be avoided without increasing the gapsbetween the lower surface of the LCD protection panel 33 and the uppersurface of the liquid crystal module 38.

The liquid crystal display device 50 is illustrated in FIG. 12 incross-section. However, this structure is also applicable to thelongitudinal-section structure of the liquid crystal display device 50.

4. Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a liquid crystal displaydevice 60 according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a longitudinalsectional view of the liquid crystal display device 60. FIG. 15 is alongitudinal side view of the liquid crystal display device 60. In FIGS.13 to 15, the same components as those of FIG. 9 are denoted byidentical reference numerals, and detailed description thereof isomitted.

Three holes 61 are formed in a longitudinal surface of the holderconnection portion 41 b of the frame 41, and claws 65 are formed incorresponding positions on a side surface of the liquid crystal moduleholder 36. The claws 65 of the liquid crystal module holder 36 areengaged with the holes 61 of the holder connection portion 41 b of theframe 41 to thereby connect the holder connection portion 41 b of theframe 41 to the liquid crystal module holder 36.

FIGS. 16A to 16C show the structure in which the claws 65 of the liquidcrystal module holder 36 are engaged with the holes 61 of the holderconnection portion 41 b of the frame 41. FIG. 16A shows the structure inwhich a claw 65-1 of the liquid crystal module holder 36 is engaged witha corresponding hole 61-1 formed at substantially the center of thelongitudinal surface of the holder connection portion 41 b. FIG. 16Bshows the structure in which a claw 65-2 of the liquid crystal moduleholder 36 is engaged with a corresponding hole 61-2 formed at the endportion of the longitudinal surface of the holder connection portion 41b. FIG. 16C shows the hole 61-1 and the claw 65-1 in the case where theframe 41 warps with its central portion protruding in a longitudinaldirection.

As apparent from FIGS. 16A and 16B, the hole 61-1 formed atsubstantially the center of the longitudinal surface of the holderconnection portion 41 b is larger than the hole 61-2 formed at the endportion of the longitudinal surface of the holder connection portion 41b. Thus, the engagement of the claw 65-1 of the liquid crystal moduleholder 36 with a corresponding hole 61-1 formed at substantially thecenter of the longitudinal surface of the holder connection portion 41 b(see FIG. 16A) is less tight than the engagement of the claw 65-2 of theliquid crystal module holder 36 with a corresponding hole 61-2 formed atthe end portion of the longitudinal surface of the holder connectionportion 41 b (see FIG. 16B).

Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 15 to 16C, the frame 41 is curved suchthat its central portion protrudes due to a repulsive force(compressibility) of the dustproof gasket 39 for supporting the LCDprotection panel 33 from below the LCD protection panel 33, from thelower surface of the LCD protection panel 33. Thus, the LCD protectionpanel 33 partially covered with the liquid crystal display protectionpanel contact portion 41 a of the frame 41 is curved such that itscentral portion protrudes.

Hence, enough clearance is secured between the lower surface of the LCDprotection panel 33 and the upper surface of the LCD panel 38. Thus, thelower surface of the LCD protection panel 33 can be kept from contact(interfering) with the upper surface of the LCD panel 18.

Since the LCD protection panel 33 is previously curved such that itscentral portion upwardly protrudes, the LCD protection panel 33 couldwarp upwardly (to the left in FIG. 15) due to expansion but does notwarp downwardly (to the right in FIG. 15). That is, the LCD protectionpanel 33 can warp upwardly only (in a direction of increasing a distancefrom the upper surface of the LCD panel 38). Thus, the lower surface ofthe LCD protection panel 33 can be kept from contact (interfering) withthe upper surface of the LCD panel 38.

As described above, with this structure as well, the lower surface ofthe LCD protection panel 33 can be kept from contact (interfering) withthe upper surface of the liquid crystal module 38. Thus, it is possibleto avoid a phenomenon that looks as if a droplet infiltrates in betweenthe LCD protection panel 33 and the liquid crystal module 38 can beavoided without increasing the gap between the lower surface of the LCDprotection panel 33 and the upper surface of the liquid crystal module38.

The embodiments are described in detail above. However, the presentinvention is not limited to the above embodiments but could be modifiedand changed without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, the above embodiments describe the liquid crystal displaydevice in the cell phone for illustrative purposes, but the embodimentsare also applicable to a liquid crystal display device in otherelectronic devices such as a portable information terminal such as a PDA(personal digital assistants), a portable PC (personal computer) such asa laptop PC, a desktop PC, and a television.

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid crystal display device comprising: aliquid crystal display panel; a liquid crystal display protection panelset above the liquid crystal display panel so as to protect a displaysurface of the liquid crystal display panel, the liquid crystal displayprotection panel being warped with its central portion being protruded;an elastic member placed on a peripheral portion of a back of the liquidcrystal display protection panel; the liquid crystal display panel setunder the liquid crystal display protection panel, contacting with theelastic member on a surface of the liquid crystal display panel; aliquid crystal display panel holder holding the liquid crystal displaypanel; a frame having a protection panel contact portion contacting withthe surrounding part on the surface of the liquid crystal displayprotection panel, and a holder connection port having a connecting portto a holder keeping the liquid crystal display panel, the holderconnection port being bent to the supported liquid crystal displayprotection panel side for the protection panel contact portion, theframe holding the liquid crystal display protection panel at theprotection panel contact portion.
 2. The liquid crystal display deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the protection panel contact portionsupports a peripheral portion on a lower surface of the liquid crystaldisplay protection panel, the protection panel mounting surface has asurface inclining from a center portion to a peripheral portion so as tofit the liquid crystal display protection panel.
 3. The liquid crystaldisplay device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member has acompressibility set such that the protection panel contact portion warpsso as to fit a surface of the liquid crystal display protection panel.4. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein theholder connection portion and the liquid crystal display panel holderhave a hole and a claw, respectively, so as to connect the claw of theliquid crystal display panel holder to the hole of the holder connectionportion.
 5. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1,wherein: the liquid crystal display device is a portable informationterminal.